May 27, 2008

Disappointing Turnout Forecast for June Primary

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)  -- California’s decision to separate state and local district elections from the presidential election in November has Bay Area elections officials predicting a low turnout at the polls next week.

Fewer than 20 percent of the roughly 150,000 absentee ballots mailed out in San Mateo County have been returned, said Elections Manager David Tom.

In Contra Costa, the torrent of voters who turned out for the Democratic presidential primary is now just a trickle, said Registrar Steve Weir.

Tuesday is the last day to request an absentee ballot in time for it to be sent in time for the election. “We may be in the 30s, which is the lower end of turnout,” he said. “It is kind of understandable. There is not that big, top of the ticket draw.”

Even the controversy over Propositions 98 and 99, which would change eminent domain rules and effectively end rent control in the state, have not created a large groundswell of interest, said political consultant Leo McElroy.

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